The Mid-Autumn Festival kicked off at Hanoi’s Old Quarter on September 9 with a wide range of activities bringing joy and cheer to children.

The activities are taking place until September 15 at a number of venues along Hang Ma Street, the environs of Dong Xuan Market and pedestrian spaces in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Making a star-shaped lantern, which is a typical children’s toy during the Mid-Autumn Festival. (Photo: VOV)

Visitors to the event can learn more about traditional products dedicated to the full moon festival while trying to make kites, to he (toy figurines) and Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns.

Nguyen Huu Kiem of a kite club in Hong Ha Commune, Dan Phuong District, Hanoi, said that the members of his club wanted to teach children how to make and play with traditional kites by themselves, encouraging them to preserve and promote their ancestors’ practice.

A photo exhibition themed “The Mid-Autumn Festival in the early 20th Century” and an installation on how Hanoians celebrate the festival are being organised at the ancient house at 87 Ma May Street.

Meanwhile, water puppet performances are delivered for free to the public at Kim Ngan Temple at 42-44 Hang Bac Street, the Hanoi Old Quarter Culture Exchange Centre at 50 Dao Duy Tu Street and the Information Centre for Hanoi’s Old Quarter at 28 Hang Buom Street.

According to Tran Thuy Lan, Deputy Director of Hanoi’s Old Quarter managing board, the activities aimed to preserve traditional cultural values while providing children with a venue to enjoy a typical Mid-Autumn Festival atmosphere.

Source: NDO